Press Releases
PlayNJ.com: New Jersey sportsbooks nearly hit $1 billion in December; set U.S. annual handle record

New Jersey fell just short in December of becoming the first state to accept $1 billion in sports bets in a single month, but still extended a streak of record-setting months while reaching a record $6 billion in wagers for the year. This while online casinos and poker set a new high, again helping to stem the millions in revenues losses by struggling Atlantic City casinos, according to PlayNJ, which offers news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.
“A unique set of circumstances, most notably a once-a-century pandemic, sent online sports betting to these previously unfathomable highs,†said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayNJ.com. “The pandemic has had a diametrically opposite effect on New Jersey’s online and retail markets for both sports betting and casino games. But the growth of online betting was crucial in making up for at least some of the losses in revenue at Atlantic City casinos and certainly continue to steady the entire gaming industry.â€
In December, New Jersey’s sportsbooks collected a record $996.3 million in wagers, according to official data released Wednesday. That surpassed the record $931 million bet in November, and marked the fifth straight month the state has set an all-jurisdiction record. Since August, sportsbooks have amassed $4.1 billion in bets.
December’s bets generated a record $66.4 million in revenue. Year-over-year, handle was up 78.6% from the $557.8 million bet in December 2019 and revenue was up 125.6% from $29.4 million in December 2019. December’s bets produced $8.3 million in state taxes.
For all of 2020, New Jersey’s retail and online sportsbooks produced:
-  $6.02 billion in bets — a record for any legal jurisdiction despite major U.S. sports being shut down for four months —and up 31.3% from $4.6 billion in 2019.
- $5.5 billion in online wagering, up 44.2% from $3.8 billion in 2019.
- $398.5 million in operator revenue, up 33.1% from $299.3 million in 2019.
- $50.1 million in state taxes and $15 million in local taxes.
“Even when post-pandemic life returns to normal, online sports betting won’t likely give up its gains from this year,†said Eric Ramsey, analyst for PlayNJ.com. “The silver lining for the industry was that this year was an opportunity for online operators to focus heavily on their products and build their customer base, using a combination of technology improvements and aggressive promotions. That has matured the market far more quickly than was projected.â€
Online betting generated 93.3%, or $929.3 million, of the state’s total handle in December, down from 93.6% in November. FanDuel Sportsbook/PointsBet topped online operators with $29 million in gross revenue, up from $21.2 million in November.
FanDuel was followed in revenue by:
- Resorts Digital/DraftKings/Fox Bet ($15.4 million, up from $14.6 million in November)
- BetMGM/Borgata ($6.3 million, up from $1.3 million)
- Monmouth/William Hill/Sugarhouse/TheScore ($3.3 million, up from $1.9 million)
- Ocean Casino/William Hill ($3.2 million, down from $3.6 million)
- Hard Rock/Bet365/Unibet ($562,188, up from $363,099)
- Caesars Sportsbook/888sport ($489,141, up from $247,615)
- Golden Nugget/BetAmerica ($343,849, up from $199,667)
- Tropicana/William Hill ($108,427, up from $105,028)
Retail sportsbooks generated $67 million in bets, down from $75.9 million in December 2019. Meadowlands/FanDuel topped retail books in December with $4.2 million in revenue. For the year, retail books generated $38.6 million in revenue, down from $54.9 million in 2019.
“The race for market share seems to be frozen in place,†Gouker said. “An expected launch of Penn National’s Barstool-branded sportsbook in 2021 could shake things up, but as of yet no operator has really eaten into the market share of FanDuel or DraftKings.â€
Online casinos and poker just miss $100 million
New Jersey’s online casinos and poker rooms generated a record $99.5 million in revenue, up 101.6% from $49.3 million in December 2019 and shattering the previous record of $93.5 million. The month produced $14.9 million in state taxes.
December closed the books on a remarkable year in which online casinos tallied $970.3 million in revenue — a 101% gain over the $482.7 million in 2019 — and produced $145.7 million in state taxes. With revenue at retail casinos down $1.2 billion for the year compared with 2019, the dramatic rise in online gaming revenue was critical in offsetting some of the losses.
“It’s scary to think of where New Jersey’s gaming industry would be without online casino gaming,†Ramsey said. “Every dollar of revenue gained and tax dollar generated from online gaming proved desperately needed.â€
Some other highlights from December’s report:
- Online casinos and poker generated $3.2 million a day over 31 days in December, up from $3.1 million a day over 30 days in November.
- Golden Nugget led online casinos with $29.4 million in December revenue, up from $26 million in November. But Borgata continued to eat into a market lead that once seemed insurmountable, hitting $27.2 million in December. Resorts Digital was third with $21 million.
- Revenue from online casinos was $96.4 million, up from $89.4 million in October. Online poker produced $3 million, up from $2.4 million in October.
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting and online gaming in New Jersey, visit PlayNJ.com/news.
About the PlayUSA.com Network:
The PlayUSA.com Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over a dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches produce original daily reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online gaming options for consumers. Based in Las Vegas, the PlayUSA Network is independently owned and operated, with no affiliations to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.
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Latest News
Avaà Signs Master Sponsorship Deal with Betting Company 1PRA1.BET.BR

The company will also appear on training uniforms and other club assets.
Starting this Saturday (April 26), when Avaà faced América-MG at Ressacada Stadium for the Brazilian Série B, the team will showcase a new master sponsor on their jerseys: the betting platform 1PRA1.BET.BR. The contract was signed on Friday (April 25) and is valid until April 2026. In terms of value, this agreement surpasses all previous sponsorship deals signed in past seasons.
In addition to featuring its brand in the main space on the jersey, the company will also appear on training uniforms, stadium assets (such as the big screen and field boards), and on the club’s social media platforms. Marketing activations will also be carried out throughout the year. Beyond men’s football, the agreement may also extend to other sports, which will be defined by both parties in the coming days.
“I’m proud to sign this agreement, which will be extremely beneficial for the club. It also demonstrates the strength of the Avaà brand and the value we can offer our commercial partners. We have big goals this year and will continue to seek further support to strengthen the institution in every aspect,†said Júlio César Heerdt, President of AvaÃ.
“It is a great pleasure for 1PRA1.BET.BR to announce our partnership with AvaÃ. Walking side by side with such a traditional club beloved by its fans is a point of pride for all of us. We strongly believe in the power of this union: the number one football club in Santa Catarina now paired with the number one entertainment platform. We’re very excited to take this step and confident that we will achieve great things together!†celebrated Tiago Grecco, Marketing Director at 1PRA1.BET.BR.
“We always work in AvaÃ’s best interest to bring more opportunities and valuable resources that can be reinvested into the club. This deal represents another collective effort by everyone here to strengthen Avaà in pursuit of even greater goals. We thank the leadership at 1PRA1.BET.BR for their trust, and I’m certain we’ll build a great relationship with mutual benefits for both the company and the team,†added Rodrigo Florenzano, AvaÃ’s Business Director.
In addition to 1PRA1.BET.BR, Avaà has sponsorship agreements with Genial Investimentos, WOA, Liderança, UniCesumar, and JTA Empreendimentos, as well as Volt Sport, the club’s official sportswear supplier.
Latest News
BETesporte Reinforces Commitment to Sports with Major Investments Across Brazil

Investment in championships, clubs, and national teams expands media assets and positions BETesporte as a key player in Brazil’s sports market.
BETesporte, a betting platform that proudly carries “sports†in its name, is reaffirming its leadership in the industry by reporting consistent investment results over the past four months. While most betting platforms generate the majority of their revenue from online games (virtual casinos), BETesporte stands out as one of the few where sports betting leads the way — accounting for 65% of its total revenue, compared to 35% from online games. This figure directly reflects its brand strategy and commitment to strengthening Brazilian sports.
“Over the last four months, we’ve consolidated our presence on multiple fronts, focusing on strategic returns and high-quality visibility. We’ve sponsored several state championships in all regions of the country, including the Paulista, Paranaense, Carioca, Alagoano, Gaúcho, Pernambucano, Cearense, Catarinense, Baiano, and Mineiro tournaments, as well as the highly engaging Copa do Nordeste. We’ve also invested in Series A and B of the Brasileirão, placing our brand on Brazil’s biggest football stages and ensuring mass exposure with a high value per impression. It’s a strategic allocation of resources designed to generate brand impact and strengthen the Brazilian sports ecosystem,†said Thiago Carvalho, CFO at BETesporte.
Among the platform’s most notable recent acquisitions is brand exposure during Brazil’s national team matches in the World Cup Qualifiers — a move that reinforces BETesporte’s presence on the global football stage and strengthens its connection with fans during highly visible moments.
“We truly believe in the power of sports as a driver of connection and engagement. At BETesporte, we’re constantly investing in improving our platform with new features and more real-time betting options. Our marketing plan is performance-oriented: we aim to energize Brazil’s sports scene through active sponsorships in Series A and B of the national league — with master sponsorships, LED field displays, and direct club support. We bet on sports both as a passion and a business,†added Danylo Campos, CTO of BETesporte.
Beyond football, BETesporte is expanding its social impact by supporting up-and-coming athletes, providing financial assistance to help them compete and grow in sports like kickboxing, table tennis, and jiu-jitsu — an initiative that helps uncover new talent and democratize access to high-performance sports.
The company also maintains partnerships with traditional clubs like CRB, CSA, and Volta Redonda, reinforcing its regional presence and boosting local fanbases with strong community ties.
BETesporte’s credibility is further strengthened by the presence of legendary Brazilian football figures as brand ambassadors, including Zico, Vampeta, Diego Souza, and Macaé — personalities who bring even more legitimacy to the company’s presence in the sports world.
Gambling in the USA
California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.
Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage
The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.
Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved
The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.
Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions
Among key licensing matters:
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500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.
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Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.
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Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.
Key Employee Licensing Actions
The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:
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Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.
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Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.
Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny
The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.
Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.
Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals
Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:
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HCAL, LLC
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JCM Global
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Konami Gaming, Inc.
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PDS Gaming, LLC
Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.
Notable Withdrawals and Denials
In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.
A Broader Look Ahead
With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.
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